Atomizer



T. H. VENN Feb. 2l, 1933.

ATOMIZER Filed Aug. 26, 1951 7. j 7 j @www Y j@ M .T #M /M 3: l. J j f 4 m: 6 M 5 E l 2 @la ,l w j tion wherein Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIc'E I THEODORE H. VENN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS .ATOMIZEB application med' August 2s, 1931. serial No. sssaae.

The present invention relates generally to atomizers. More particularly the invention relates to that type of atomizer which is desi ned to reduce liquid under pressure to 5 m1nute particles or globules and comprises (1) a casing which has an open-ended bore therein and is provided with an inlet for the liquid under pressure; and (2) a stem or plunger-like valve-member which is mounted lo slidably in the bore, operates to control the the pressure of the liquid into its open posithe sealing element is disposed outwardly of the bore, to establish communication between the duct and the outside of the casing for the discharge of the liquid.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 0 vide an atomizer of the last mentioned character in which the annular groove is shaped so that it forms at the inner end of the sealing element a comparatively sharp, circular edge which, when the valve is in its opened posi- 3 tion, cooperates with the outer end edge of the bore to form an orifice whereby the liquid passes directly from the groove into the space surrounding the casing and is caused to be broken up into extremely minute particles or 0 globules.

A further object of the invention is to provide an atomizer of the aforesaid type in which the casing is provided with an abutment which surrounds the inlet and limits inward movement of the valve-member.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an atomzer which consists of but a comparatively small number of parts, may be manufactured at a low cost and more eicient in operation than previously designed atomizers of the same general type.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present construction will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and' are more particularly dened by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specication or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an atomizer embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view exhibiting the valve-member of the atomizer in its opened position.

The atomizer which forms the subject matter of the invention is designed to reduce liquid under pressure to minute particles or globules. 3 which It comprises .an elongated casing is adapted to be held or retained in any desired position and comprises a barrel part 4 and a head part 5. The barrel part 4 s is formed of metal and is cylindrical in conformation. It embodies a longitudinal bore 6 and is provided with a lia-nge 7. The bore 6 is of uniform diameter throughout its entire length and extends from one end of the barrel part to the other. The lian e,- as illustrated in the drawing, is forme integrally with, and at one end of, the barrel part of the casing. The head part 5, like the barrel part of the casing, is cylindrical in conformation. One end of the head partois provided with a cylindrical open-ended chamber 8 and ts against one face of the annular flange 7 The other end of the Head part of the casing includes a reduced portion 9 and embodies an inletY 10. The inlet extends through the reduced portion 9, communicates with the chamber 8 and embodies an internal screw thread 10a. A pipe 11 is connected to the inlet l() and serves to supply liquid under pressure from any suitable valve-controlled source to the chamber 8. The end of the head part of the casing which fits against the flange 7 of the barrel part 4 is clamped in place by means of a coupling ring 12. This ring is yconnected to the head part by a screw thread connection 13 andv embodies an inwardly extending flange 14. The latter vfits against the opposite face of the flange 7 and operates, when the the coupling ring is tightened, to draw the barrel and head parts of the casing into clampedrelation. The face of the flange 7 which fits against the head part of the casing is preferably ground so that it forms a liquid-tight seal which prevents the liquid from escaping through the open end of the chamber 8. The inlet 10 for the liquid is formed in the reduced portion 9 of the head part of the casing so that it is in true alignment with the bore 6.

In addition to the casing 4, the atomizer comprises a stem or plunger-like valve-member 15 which serves as hereinafter described, to control the flow of liquid under pressure from the casing and cooperates with the barrel part 4 to effect a thorough and efiicient atomization of the liquid. This valve-member is ground so that it is truly cylindrical and fits accurately and slidably in the bore 6. By virtue of the fact that the valve-member fits accurately in the bore, a liquid connection o r joint is formed between the valve-member and the barrel part 4 of the casing, and hence leakage of the liquid in the chamber through the bore is precluded. The inner end of the valve-member is extended so that it projects into the chamber 8, and embodies a hemispherical head 16. The outer end of the valvemember embodies an annular groove 17. The latter is positioned slightly inwardly of the extreme outer end of the valve-member 15 so as to form a cylindrical sealing element 18. The portion of the valve-member which de-D fines the outer end of the groove 17 is curved sharply as at 19, so as to form a comparatively sharp, circular edge 20 at the inner end of the sealing element 18. The portion of the valve-member which defines the inner end of the annular groove is tapered as at 21. Liquid is supplied to the groove by way of a longitudinal duct 22 and a plurality of cross ports 23. The duct 22 extends through the hemispherical head 16 and terminates adjacent to the groove 17 The cross ports 23 are inclined relatively to the valve-member and extend between the outer end of the longitudinal duct 22 and the inner end of the annular groove 17. When the valve-member is positionedso that the sealing element 18 is disposed outwardly of the barrel part of the casing, the comparatively sharp circular edge 20 forms with the circular edge at the outer end of the bore 6 an orifice throughwhich the liquid passes. As the liquid passes through this orifice, it is atomized or reduced to a mist of extremely minute particles or globules. By virtue of the fact that the orifice is defined by comparatively sharp edges, the liquid passes from a state of maximum pressure within the bore directly to a state of minimum pressure outside of the bore with the result that an extremely efficient atomization is effected. When the valve-member 15 is shifted inwardly, the sealing element 18 closes the Outer end of the bore and prevents the fiow of liquid through the upper end of the bore via the duct 22, the cross ports 28 and the annular groove 17 A coiled spring 24 serves normally to hold the valve-member in its closed position, that is, a position wherein the sealing element 18 is disposed within the outer end of the bore 6. This spring 24 is disposed in the chamber 8 of the head part of the casing and extends between the annular flange 7 of the barrel part 4 and a washer 25. The latter is mounted loosely around the inner end of the valve-member 15, embodies a countersunk portion 26 which abuts against the curved surface of the head 16 so as to form a movable connection whereby the pressure of the spring is equally applied to the head. The spring 24 operates through the medium of the washer 25 to hold the head 16 against the inner face of the end wall of the head part 5 of the casing. The hemispherical head 16 is of such length that when it is brought into abutting relation with the casing part 5, the sealing element 18 is disposed within the bore 6, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and the valve-member is in its closed position. When the liquid that is to be atomized is delivered under pressure into the inlet 10 via the pipe 11, the hemispherical head 16 is forced away from the end wall of the head part 5 and the valve-member 15 is shifted into its open position, that is, a position wherein the sealing element 18 is disposed outside of the bore 6, and the annular groove 17 communicates with the exterior of the casing by way of the orifice which rvis defined by the comparatively sharp circular edge 20 at the inner end of the sealing element 18 and the sharp circular edge at the outer end of the bore 6.

The operation of the atomizer is as follows:

When the liquid that is to be atomized is introduced under pressure into the inlet 10, the hemispherical head. 16 is forced away from the abutment 27 as previouslypointed out, and the valve-member is shifted into its open position wherein the sealing element 18 is disposed outside of the bore 6. While the valve-member is held in its open position by the pressure of the liquid which is applied to the head 16, the liquid flows through the longitudinal duct 22 and the cross ports 23 into the annular groove 17. From the annular groove 17, the liquid passes directly from a state of maximum pressure to a state of minimum pressure as it flows through the orifice that is defined by the sharp circular edge 20 and the sharp circular edge at the outer end of the bore 6. When the supplyy of liquid under pressure to the inlet 10 yis cutoff, the

u position,

spring 24 through the medium of the washer 25, f-orces the head 16 against the annular abutment 27 and thus closes the valve-member 15. When the valve-member is in its closed the sealing element 18 is disposed in the outer end of the bore 6 as hereinbefore specified and seals the bore so as to prevent liquid from passing therethrough.

'"lhe herein described atomizer consists of but a comparativelysmall number of parts and as a result may be manufactured at a low cost. It is exceedingly eicient in operation and serves to effect a thorough and ready atomization of the liquid by virtue of the fact that the orice through which the liquid passes is defined by comparatively sharp edges. Inasmuch as all portions of the valvemexnber are slidable within the bore 6 of the barrel part of the casing, wear is reduced to a minimum and there is little if any likelihood of the orifice-forming parts becoming damaged.

Whereas the atomizer has been described as adapted for use in connection with the reduction of liquid under pressure to minute particles or globules, it is to be understood that the atomizer may be used equally as well in connection with a dispersement or spraying of gas under pressure. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modied within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing having an openended bore therein and an inlet for liquid under pressure, a stem or plunger-like valvemember for controlling the discharge of liquid from the casing via the bore mounted slidably in the bore and provided at its outer end-with a vcylindrical sealing element for the outer end of the duct and a circumferential groove disposed inwardly of the sealing element and connected to receive the liquid from the inlet, and means operated by the pressure of the liquid for shifting the valvemember from a closed position wherein the sealing element is disposed within and closes the outer end of the duct into an open posi- .tion wherein the sealing element is disposed outwardly of the bore and the groove is positioned adjacent the outer end edge of the bore and permits the liquid to be discharged from the casing, the outer portion of the groove being shaped to form at the inner end of the element a comparatively sharp circumferential edge which, when the valvemember is in its open position, coacts with the aforesaid outer end edge of the bore, to form an atomizing or spraying orifice through which the Huid passes from the groove.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing having an openended bore therein and an inlet for liquid under pressurea stem or plunger-like valvemember forcontrolling the discharge of liquid from the casing via the bore mounted slidably in the bore and provided at its outer end witha cylindrical sealing-element for the outer end f the duct and an annular groove disposed inwardly of the sealing element,

said valve-member embodying a longitudinal duct with cross ports between one end of the duct and the inner portion of the groove for delivering the liquid from the inlet to the groove, and means operated by the pressure of the liquid for shifting the-valve-member from a closed position wherein the sealing element is disposed within and closes the outer end ofthe duct into an open position wherein the sealing element is disposed outwardly of the bore and the groove is positioned adjacent to the outer end edge of the bore and permits the liquid to be discharged from the casing via the duct and the cross ports, the outer portion of the groove being shaped to form at the inner end of the element a comparatively sharp circular edge which, when the valve-member is in its open position, coacts with the aforesaid outer end edge of the bore, to form an atomizin or spraying orifice through which the uid passes from the groove.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 30th day of July, 1931.

THEODORE H. VENN. 

